Peace deal with rebels to be signed in South Sudan

This agreement could end a five-year civil war.

South Sudanese rebels have agreed to a peace deal with the government, which will be signed at the regional leaders’ summit.

Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan’s Foreign Minister, said that the rebels have signed a “key document” that seeks to end the country’s civil war that started almost five years ago.

“By signing this document today, we have reached the conclusion of these negotiations, which consisted of two rounds, one about the outstanding issues and the other on the subsequent issues,” he said.

The final signing of the peace agreement will be conducted at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development summit. This deal includes a permanent ceasefire and a “power-sharing deal” that will make way for the rebel leader Riek Machar to return as vice president.